Red Flags: A 10 Day Devotional On RelationshipsSample

Day 7: Red Flags in Marriage #3

“A happy marriage is a union of two good forgivers.”  —Ruth Graham 

Marriage would be so much easier if husbands and wives realized they’re on the same side. No great marriage is healthy because of chemistry or because you marry your “soulmate”—great marriages are only healthy when you choose to work on them. It’s two imperfect people going through the process of becoming one through loads of forgiveness. 

When we stop intentionally investing time to work on our marriages, we can find ourselves slowly growing apart. The little things can make a great difference—good or bad. The little weekly date nights change everything, tiny grudges and resentments bring big issues, and little words can build up or tear down! Let’s look at our last three red flags in marriage: 

1) You stop making an effort to spend quality time together. 

2) You stop apologizing. 

3) The daily tone changes to increased sarcasm, put downs, and complaining. 

So, what can we do when we see one of those red flags? Spend quality time together, learn to apologize, and change the tone of your heart and mouth toward one another. Quality time is essential to a fulfilling and happy relationship. Weekly date nights can make all the difference. Your spouse is meant to be your best friend—your partner through life—but that can only happen if you’re making memories together and carving out time from the business of life to be together. 

Forgiveness is key. Don’t let bitterness grow in your heart against the one that you love. Guard your heart because out of it flows all the issues of life! Take a step forward and forgive! Finally, what’s the tone in your heart and words toward your marriage? How do you see your spouse? Maybe it’s time to ask God to give you a new perspective on your marriage. Make changes today to love your spouse the way they need to be loved. 

If you resonate with any of these red flags, it’s time to look inward at how you can change, address the mess, repent, forgive one another, resolve negative feelings daily, commit to pursue each other with fun and passion, renew your vows, and pray together to ask Heaven to invade your marriage! It’s a process, but it’s absolutely worth it! 

Pray with me today: “Heavenly Father, I commit my marriage to you. Today, I choose to walk in forgiveness. Help us to start fresh and keep our eyes and hearts fixed on your Son. Work in me to see my spouse the way you see them and to love them the way you love them. In Jesus’ name, amen.”